Artificial Knee Joint Oblique Insertion Interference Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

In minimally invasive knee joint replacement surgeries, the insertion of the bearing component into the tibial component in an oblique direction often results in interference, making the process difficult and increasing the risk of damage or dislocation, as well as potential complications during recovery due to tissue entrapment in coupling gaps.

Innovation Solution

The artificial knee joint design incorporates an interference prevention portion on the tibial component and complementary protrusions on the bearing component, which facilitate oblique insertion, align the coupling position, prevent rotation, and ensure gap-free coupling to avoid tissue entrapment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If the bearing component is inserted in an oblique direction to minimize surgical incision, then the invasiveness of the surgery is reduced, but interference occurs between the bearing component and tibial component during insertion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical invasivenessVSAvoidinsertion smoothness

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The interference prevention portion acts as an intermediary element between the bearing component and tibial component. It mediates the oblique insertion process by providing a dedicated path that allows the bearing component to pass through the tibial component without interfering with the rim, thus enabling minimally invasive surgery while maintaining smooth insertion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The tibial component is segmented into distinct functional portions: the rim that provides structural support and the interference prevention portion that facilitates insertion. This segmentation allows the rim to maintain its load-bearing function while the interference prevention portion specifically addresses the insertion challenge by providing clearance for oblique approach.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Loss of time

If the bearing component is inserted in an oblique direction, then surgical recovery time is reduced, but the coupling position alignment becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverecovery timeVSAvoidcoupling position alignment

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The interference prevention portion is pre-configured in the tibial component with a shape that anticipates the oblique insertion path. This preliminary action guides the bearing component into the correct coupling position alignment before the final seating occurs, ensuring proper alignment is achieved automatically during the oblique insertion process rather than requiring post-insertion adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the bearing component is inserted in an oblique direction, then tissue damage during surgery is minimized, but gaps are created that can trap surrounding tissues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue damageVSAvoidtissue entrapment risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The design converts the potential harm of gap formation into a benefit by configuring the interference prevention portion and rim to work together. The interference prevention portion creates a controlled pathway that, while forming a space during insertion, ensures that surrounding tissues are directed away from the coupling interface. The rim then seals this pathway, transforming the potential tissue-trapping gap into a protected insertion channel that eliminates tissue entrapment risk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentUS11033397B2Artificial knee joint

Publication Date: 2021.06.15 CORENTEC

AI summary

An artificial knee joint includes a tibial component implanted into the proximal end of a tibia, and a bearing component coupled to the tibial component, in which the tibial component includes an interference prevention portion capable of preventing interference with the bearing component when the bearing component is inserted diagonally and the bearing component includes a protrusion coupled to the interference prevention portion.